Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-11-03

young. of a dark. handsome type, at
tired in evening dress.
He stared at the girl before him with
q contracted brow. and looked. as he
must have felt, wretchedly i'll at ease.
"You. slr, whoever you may be.
please leave this house at once"
Edith's hand sought the door for
support; though she kept so bold
'front.' her limbs were trembling beyond
control.
He looked at her young face rigid
with contempt and horror, and despite
his anger could not but admire her.
She made a pretty picture in her scar
let gown. with hair dark and loose on
her shoulders, but the admiration was
but momentary.
''This is Mrs. Dalton's house. I am
here at her invitation. Ileave it only
at her request" he answered shortly.
II will ring up the servants and have
you thrown out" she replied.
"And so compromise your dear
friend" he said. with a sheer. by
all means; am perfectly willing"
Edith drew short breath.
"You are a coward" she said.
quietly; then before he could speak
she went on very slowly, and with
great deliberation: Lucy is upstairs.
am alone with you; the scandal.
therefore. will fall on me. Now, shall
call the servants, or will you go?"
by Jove!'' he muttered, under his
breath.
He had never come across this sort
of woman before; his eyes just met
hers, and at the unutterable disgust
and contempt in them he was abashed;
he took up his hat and sauntered out OF
the room without saying one word.
Edith followed him, and closed the
door herself upon him; then, shaking
like leaf, she went into the dining
room, extinguished the lights, and
then crept upstairs, feeling that for
once in her life all her strength and
courage were hopelessly gone.
The event just passed had lasted
barely three minutes, but its result
was none the less painful.
As she reached the upper landing
she felt some one clasp her knees, and
then crouch down at her feet, and all
her nerve returned.
With her strong young arm she
lifted up Lucy, who was weeping Bit
terly, and almost carried her into her
own bedroom, and the rest of the
night she spent in trying to soothe and
console the poor foolish moth who had
fluttered SO near the candle, and by
her aid had escaped; for before morn
ing came Edith had learnt all she
wanted to know; and. save for her su.
preme folly and weakness. Lucy Dali
ton had done nothing to separate her.
self from her husbands life.
Mr.. Dalton returned to his cosy
home full of spirits, and Edith met him
with as much light-hearted manner as
she could assume.
Il am afraid you will never leave
me Lucy's guardian again. Herbert.
she said; ''for you will find her rather
shattered. She caught cold one day
driving, and have kept her indoors
ever since.
She did not stay in the room as she
finished this speech, but as she shut
the door she caught a glimpse Of Lucy's
| golden head buried on her husbands
shoulder, and she was content
Il think she has learnt her lesson"
she thought to herself, ''and now l will
trot home to papa"
Mr.. Lascelles welcomed his daughter
affectionately. Il got your letter.
Edith" he said at once, "and have
asked young Rochdale to dinner to-
night. Does that suit your"
Edith simply nodded.
Punctually at eight the door was
thrown open and MIR. Rochdale an
nonnced.
Mr.. Lascelles shook hands effusively
with the young man.
Edith. my dear" he began.
But Edith did not move; she fixed
her eyes on MIR. Rochdale.
Papa" she said. very distinctly,
81 do not desire further knowledge of
this gentleman; we have met before"
George Rochdale's face grew GRIM
son, then white; he recognized the
voice of the girl who had ordered him
from her friends house a few nights
ago. though the first glimpse at the
tall, slender form in dainty evening
dress had not enlightened him.
Edith" began Mr. Lascelles,
alarmed and angry.
She took up her fan and walked to
the door.
cousin Minnie will take my place
tonight; shall dine in my room"
Three minutes later she heard the
hall-door bang. and from her window
saw MIR. Rochdale get into a hanson
and drive away.
Mr.. Lascelles came up, for the first
time in his life, in terrific passion
with his daughter.
"YOn NAV saw inst whatever Won